The Punishment after Death In the Quran and Islam

God – be glorified – said in the Quran 75: 26-30كَلَّا إِذَا بَلَغَتْ التَّرَاقِيَ . وَقِيلَ مَنْ رَاقٍ . وَظَنَّ أَنَّهُ الْفِرَاقُ . وَالْتَفَّتِ السَّاقُ بِالسَّاقِ . إِلَى رَبِّكَ يَوْمَئِذٍ الْمَسَاقُ
The explanation:
(No, [they will not get rid of the torment, nor will intercession avail them] but when the [soul of a dying man on his death-bed, on its way out of the body], reaches to [the level of] the collar bones.

And it is said [by his family]: "Who is a wizard [that may save him? Or a doctor that may cure him?]"

And he became certain that it is [the death inevitably and] the parting [from the Worldly life.]

And leg shall be wrapped with leg.

On that day [of death], to [the judgment of] your Lord shall be the driving [of the soul.])

The interpretation:
>> (but when the [soul of a dying man on his death-bed, on its way out of the body], reaches to [the level of] the collar bones.)

It means: When the soul reaches to the neck bones.

>> (And it is said [by his family]: "Who is a wizard [that may save him? Or a doctor that may cure him?]")

It means: The family of the dying person, who is going to die on his bed, say: "Is there any wizard who can cure him or any doctor who can treat him?"

The "wizard" is the one who writes some amulates (or spells or charms) and some prayers for the patient in order that he may be cured.

>> (And he became certain that it is [the death inevitably and] the parting [from the Worldly life.] )

>> (And leg shall be wrapped with leg) after death.
God – be exalted – meant by that the legs of the soul, not of the body; because
They have attraction so that one will stick to the other.
The meaning: His both legs will be bound to each other. It means: His both legs become bound to each other as if they have been bound with ropes; that he cannot walk on the earth by feet as was he walking before death, but he goes forwards as if he glides on the ice.

>> (On that day [of death], to [the judgment of] your Lord shall be the driving [of the soul.] )
It means: The "death angels" will take him and drive him to God – be glorified – and He will reckon him and punish him according to his sins if he is one of the faithful; and he will be imprisoned and punished according to his sins, then will be released and return back to his family; i.e. to the house in which he died, where he will stay and see his family members who died before him, and he will gather with them; also he will see his living family members and hear them, but they neither can see him nor can they hear him.

While as regards the disbelievers: they will not be judged, but will remain on earth tormented with various kinds of torment: naked, hungry, thirsty, lowly and humbled among souls and they will serve the devils till Doomsday, then they will go to Hell.

Surely, among his family, he was joyful [with his sins and disobedience.]

He thought that he should never return [to God, for punishment.]

Yes, indeed [he will come to Us, and We shall punish him; for] his Lord is Ever Seeing him [from his creation till his sending forth to the Hereafter.])

The interpretation:
>> (And whoso is given his book [of deeds] in his right hand)
It means: his book of deeds, written by the angels in charge of him; so pious men will be given their books by their right hands.

It means: He shall be punished according to his sins, in the world of souls, with a mild punishment like the prison, hunger, thirst or other than that, which will be a mild punishment relative to the punishment of disbelieving men.

>> (And will return) after the fulfillment of his punishment

>> (joyfully to his family)
It means: he will return back to his house where he died, and where he will find his family members who died before him: his sons, daughters, wives and his other relatives; he will be glad and joyful with the elapsing and ending of his punishment, and will hope to go into Paradise on Judgment Day, and shall stay with his family: the souls; they hear each other, see each other, and will talk, eat

>> While as regards the disbelievers: they will not be reckoned with, but will remain on the earth tormented by various sorts of torment: naked, hungry, thirsty, despised and humble among the souls: they serve devils, by loath till Doomsday, then they enter into Hell.

While the book of their deeds will be stuck on their backs in order that souls will read it, and will be a shame to them; that is His saying – be glorified –وَأَمَّا مَنْ أُوتِيَ كِتَابَهُ وَرَاء ظَهْرِهِ . فَسَوْفَ يَدْعُو ثُبُورًا
i.e. (But anyone given his book [of deeds] behind his back, he shall invoke [on himself] destruction.)

It means: he will be tormented with various kinds of torment, so that he will invoke destruction for himself; i.e. he will desire for death but cannot find any way to die; because souls do not die even though they are cast into the fire.

>> (And shall broil ) on Judgment Day,

>> (in the blaze. Surely, among his family, he was) in the life of the World,

>> (joyful [with his sins and disobedience.]) And was not fearing God.

>> ( Surely, among his family, he was joyful [with his sins and disobedience.]) i.e. he thought that he should never return to God's side where he will be tormented and punished for his disbelief.